Rufio Stats

Outside hitting lines

Hitting drill for 5 to 12 players. Focus: call the shot; open to the target; keep it in.

The Outside hitting lines drill on the 3D court in Rufio Court
Watch it in 3D in Rufio Court Browse all drillsHow to use drills

What you need

Players
5 to 12 players
Time
8 to 12 min
Level
Intermediate
Equipment
Balls, Ball cart, Cones
Ball fed by
The players
Space
A full court

Setup

  1. Hitters in a line just outside the left side of the near court, behind the attack line.
  2. A setter at the target spot near the net, and a feeder with a ball cart in the right back of the near court.
  3. Two cones on the far side: one deep down the line, one cross court for the angle.

How it runs

The classic hitting line for left side attackers. A feeder hands a ball to the setter, the setter puts up a high ball to the left pin, and the next hitter in line approaches and swings. Hitters call line or angle before they start the approach and aim for the cone on that side, then jog around the outside back to the end of the line.

Time and reps: 5 swings each, resting about twice as long as you work.

Coaching points

  • Call your shot out loud before you start the approach.
  • Open the shoulders toward the target you called and swing through it.
  • Keep the approach the same and change the arm angle to hit line or angle.
  • Keep the ball in play: a swing into the net scores nothing.

Ways to change it

  • The coach calls the shot during the approach instead of the hitter.
  • Put a blocker on the far side to take one of the two shots away.
  • Alternate high outside sets with a faster shoot set to the pin.

Terms on this page

Pin and antenna
The pin is the end of the net where outside hitters attack, and the left pin is on your left as you face the net. The antenna is the striped rod above each sideline; the ball has to cross the net between the two.
Attack line (10-foot line)
The line about 10 feet (3 m) from the net. Back row players take off from behind it when they attack.
Target spot
The spot by the net, just right of center, where the setter stands.
Setter
The player who usually takes the second contact and sets the ball to a hitter.
Approach
The steps a hitter takes before jumping: a slow first step, then quicker steps into the jump.